Vacuum cleaner



y 1964 P. o. HUSTON ETAL VACUUM CLEANER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug- 8, 1963 INVENTORS Paul O. Huston William T. Fleming WZRTTORNEY WITNESS fllamqwtvk y 23, 1964 P. o. HUSTON ETAL 3,142,033

VACUUM CLEANER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 8, 1963 Paul O. Huston WITNESS William. T. Fleming J y 23, 1964 P. o. HUSTON ETAL 3,142,033

VACUUM CLEANER Fild Aug. 8, 1963 :s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTORS Paul O. Huston WITNESS MWQ BY William T Fleming United States Patent 3,142,198? VACUUM CLEANER Paul 0. Huston, Bloomfield, and Wiliiam T. Fleming,

Boonton, N.J., assignors to The Singer Company, Elizabeth, N..l., a corporation of New .1 ersey Filed Aug. 8, 1963, Ser. No. 300,737 7 Claims. (Cl. 15-324) This invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more particularly to an improved type of vacuum cleaner construction which is inexpensive to manufacture as well as convenient and economical to assemble and service, and the primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved device of this character.

With the above and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear, the invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a pre ferred embodiment of the invention, from which the several features of the invention and the advantages attained thereby will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a vacuum cleaner embodying the present invention and taken on a vertical plane extending from the front to the rear of the cleaner,

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 1, from which have been removed various items such as the bottom access plate, the beater-brush, and the support wheels,

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal construction of various parts which form the vacuurn cleaner,

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan View of the access plate used to close a portion of the bottom of the cleaner, and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the vacuum cleaner showing the motor, fans, bearings, etc. assembled thereon, and from which the blower cover, motor hood and appearance cover have been removed.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the invention is disclosed as embodied in a vacuum cleaner 16 having a metallic chassis 17, an upper plastic fan or blower cover 18, a metallic motor hood 19, a top plastic appearance-cover 21 and a lower metallic closure or access plate 22. The access plate 22 carries a pair of front support wheels 2323 and a rear portion of the chassis 17 carries a pair of rear support wheels 2424. The chassis 17 also carries a rotatable beater-brush 26, a lamp and socket 27, a motor stator 28, a motor armature 29, a pair of dust-removing fans 31 and 32, and a motor-cooling fan 33. As far as the present invention is concerned, the previously named items 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32 and 33 may be more or less conventional vacuum cleaner parts.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vacuum cleaner chassis 17, on its underside, is formed with a downwardlyopen transverse channel 36 for receiving the beater-brilsh 26. From opposite ends of this channel 36 there extend rearwardly two downwardly open dust-conveying channels 37 and 38 the ends of which are closed by walls 41 and 42. The downwardly open portions of the channel 36 and of the channels 37 and 38 are closed by rearwardly extending arms 47 and 48 of the substantially U-shaped access plate 22 which has a transversely extending open mouth 44 through which the beater-brush 26 contacts the surface to be cleaned and upwardly through which dust is carried by suction created by the dust-moving fans 31 and 32. The channels 37 and 38, when coveredby the access plate 22, provide passageways through which dust picked up by the mouth 44 can be conducted to the two fans 31 and 32. The channel 37 also houses a belt 50 for driving the beater-brush 26 from a pulley extension 46 3,142,083 Patented July 28, 1964 which is carried by one end of a shaft 49 forming part of the armature 29.

The upper side (FIG. 3) of the chassis 17 is formed with a plurality of upwardly open cavities, external walls and partitions as follows. An external wall 51 equipped with a semi-cylindrical opening 52 for allowing dust to pass from the channel 38 into a dust-moving fan receiving cavity 53, the rear portion of which is in communication with one end of the lower half of a dust-exit passageway 54. Next to the cavity 53 there is provided a partition 56 formed with a semicylindrical bearing receiving depression 57 for receiving an antifriction bearing 60. Next to the partition 56 there is an opening 58 designed to provide an exit for motor cooling air moved downwardly away from the armature 29 by the motor-cooling fan 33 and the other side of the opening 58 is formed by a partition 59 which has a semicircular opening 61 in which is positioned a part of the motor-cooling fan 33. The partition 59 also defines one side of a large cavity 62 designed to receive various portions of the electric motor which drives the fans 31, 32 and 33. For example, the cavity 62 has a semicircular separated grooved seat 63 which accommodates the outer cylindrical circumference of the motor stator 28. The cavity 62 also has a pin 64 which definitely locates the stator 28 in the groove 63 and the cavity 62 also houses a pair of brush shelves 66 and 67 for receiving brush holders 68 and 69 which form the subject of a patent application Serial No. 263,851 filed March 8, 1963. The end of the cavity 62 remote from the partition 59 is defined by a partition 76 which has a semicylindrical bearing receiving depression 77 for receiving a second antifriction bearing 88'. The partition 76 also forms one side of a fan receiving cavity 73 and the external wall of the cavity 73 is designated by the numeral 71, the wall '71 having a semicylindrical opening 72 for allowing dust to pass from the channel 37 into the fan-receiving cavity 73. The rear portion of the cavity 73 is in communication with one end of the lower half of a dust-exit passageway 74. The portions of the chassis 17 which form the passageways 54 and 74 are formed with a groove 75 adapted to be engaged by the mouth of a dust bag (not shown). 2

When the armature 29, the two carbon-brush holders 68-69 and the stator 28 are in place, the upper plastic blower cover 13 and the motor hood 19 are placed on top of the chassis 17 and are held in place by a plurality of screws 78 passing through holes 79 and 81 respectively in the blower cover 18 and motor hood 19 and entering threaded holes 82 in the chassis 17. The cover 18 is sealed to the chassis 17 by means of a gasket 84 which extends around the edges of the cover 18. The blower cover 18 is complemental to certain parts of the lower chassis 17 in the following manner. A fan receiving cavity 153 is complemental to the fan receiving cavity 53, a bearing receiving depression 157 is complemental to the bearing receiving depression 57, a fan receiving cavity 173 is complemental to the fan receiving cavity 73, a bearing receiving depression 177 is complemental to the bearing receiving depression 77, and a pair of dust-exit passageways 154 and 174 extending rearwardly are complemental to the dust-exit passageways 54 and 74. The pasageways 154 and 174 are not in themselves continuous, because of a flat formed on the blower cover 18, however, the passageways 54 and 154 as well as the passageways 74 and 174 when taken in combination, form continuous passageways for dust entering the dust bag (not shown). The ends of the walls of the passageways 154 and 174 are formed with a dust bag accommodating groove 175 which is complemental to the groove 75.

The motor hood 19, which in general is semicylindrical in form, is provided with certain items which cooperate v.23 with portions of the chassis 17 to insure proper location and operation of the electric motor 28-29. For example, the motor hood 19 has a surface 163 which engages the upper external surface of the stator 28 thereby firmly holding the stator 23 in the grooved seat 63, and the motor hood 19 has a bow shaped spring 36, the free curved ends of which engage the carbon-brush holders 68 and 69 thereby properly pressing the carbon-brush holders 6% and 69 on the shelves 611 and 67. The motor hood 19 also has a partition wall 159 which is complemental to the partition wall 59 and which functions with Wall 59 to accommodate the motor-cooling fan 33. Openings 87, 88 and 89 formed in the semicylindrical wall of the hood 19 allow for passage of air for cooling the motor 28-29,

The top cover 21 has a top wall 91, the internal surface of which is criss-crossed by reinforcing ribs and the cover 21 has a pair of side Walls 92 and 93 and a curved rear wall 94. The rear wall 94 and a portion of the top wall 91 are formed with slots 9696 adapted to accommodate arms (not shown) formed as the lower ends of a pick-up and propelling handle (not shown) but which is somewhat similar to the pick-up and propelling handle forming part of the vacuum cleaner shown in US. Patent No. 2,639,456. The front of the cover 21 is open and thereby accommodates a translucent lens 95 for the electric lamp 27. The rear wall 94 is formed with a notch 97 for receiving an electric cord (not shown) and the inside surfaces of the side walls 9293 each support an L-shaped bracket 98 threaded to receive screws 99 designed to pass through holes 101 in the chassis 1'7. The aforesaid handle arms (not shown) are adapted to be pivotally mounted on studs 102 carried by lugs upstanding from and formed integral with the chassis 17.

The access plate 22 is secured to the chassis 17 by reason of the front of the access plate 22 engaging a pair of spring clips 103 and by reason of a pivoted latch 1414 (FIG. 1) engaging a rear edge of the plate 22.

When the hood 19 is secured to the chassis 17 and the cover 21 covers the hood 19, there is created a cavity 197 (FIG. 1) between the hood 19 and the cover 21. This cavity 107 is separated axially of the motor into two parts by a plastic baffle 1% (FIG. 3) in such a manner that motor cooling air moved by the fan 33 will be circulated through the motor air gap existing between the armature 29 and the stator 28. The baffle 108 has a semicircular edge 109 from which protrude two lugs 111-111 designed to enter slots 112-112 in the hood 19. The baffle 108 also has a wing portion 114 and a bent leaf portion 116 both portions of which cooperate with parts of the vacuum cleaner to insure circulation of motor cooling arr.

The subject vacuum cleaner 16 is assembled in the following manner. First the chassis 17 is placed in the upright position shown in FIG. 5. Then the motor-cooling fan 33 is secured to shaft 49 and anti-friction bearings 60 and 80 are pressed on opposite ends of the shaft 49 of armature 29. Next armature 29 is placed into stator 28 and the dust-moving fans 31 and 32 are secured to the shaft 49 by set screws (not shown). Then the above assembled unit is placed into proper receiving cavities formed in the chassis 17. Next the carbon-brushes and carbon-brush holders 68 and 69 are placed in proper position in the shelves 66 and 67 and the motor hood 19 is placed over the stator 23 and secured in place in such position that the hood 19 presses the stator 28 into place and so that opposite ends of spring 36 engage the carbon-brush holders 68 and 69. Then the blower cover 18 is placed over the dust fans 31 and 32 and the pulley extension 4-6 is secured to one end of the shaft 49 by means of a set screw (not shown). Thereafter the bafiie 108 is placed on top of the hood 19 and the appearance cover 21 is placed on top of the baffle 108 and the chassis 17.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed herein is:

l. A vacuum cleaner comprising in combination, a chassis formed with a downwardly open beater-brush receiving channel, a downwardly open dust-conveying channel extending rearwardly from said beater-brush receiving channel, a plurality of upwardly open cavities including, a dust-moving fan receiving cavity, a dustexit passageway in communication with the said dustmoving fan receiving cavity, a cavity having a semicircular groove adapted to accommodate a motor stator, and means for supporting carbon-brush holders; an upper blower cover having a downwardly open dust-moving fan receiving cavity, and a downwardly open dust-exit passageway extending rearwardly from said downwardly open dust-moving fan receiving cavity; a motor hood having a surface adapted to engage the top of a motor stator, and means adapted to press said carbon-brush holders against the said means for supporting said carbonbrush holders; a top cover secured to said chassis; and an access plate secured to the lower surface of said chassis.

2. A vacuum cleaner comprising in combination, a chassis formed with a downwardly open beater-brush receiving channel, a pair of downwardly open dustconveying channels extending rearwardly from opposite ends of said beater-brush receiving channel, a plurality of upwardly open cavities including, two dust-moving fan receiving cavities, two dust-exit passageways respectively in communication with the said dust-moving fan receiving cavities, a cavity having a semi-circular groove adapted to accommodate a motor stator, and means for supporting carbon-brush holders; an upper blower cover having downwardly open cavities complemental to similar upwardly open cavities in said chassis including two downwardly open dust-moving fan receiving cavities, and two downwardly open dust-exit passageways extending rearwardly from said downwardly open dust-moving fan receiving cavities; a motor hood having a surface adapted to engage the top of a motor stator, and means adapted to press said carbon-brush holders against the said means for supporting said carbon-brush holders; a top cover secured to said chassis; and an access plate secured to the lower surface of said chassis.

3. A vacuum cleaner comprising in combination, a chassis formed with a downwardly open beater-brush receiving channel, a pair of downwardly open dust-conveying channels extending rearwardly from opposite ends of said beater-brush receiving channel, a plurality of upwardly open cavities including two dust-moving fan receiving cavities, two dust-exit passageways respectively in communication with the said dust-moving fan receiving cavities, a cavity having a semicircular groove adapted to accommodate a motor stator, and a pair of carbonbrush holder shelves; an upper blower cover having downwardly open cavities complemental to similar upwardly open cavities in said chassis, including two downwardly open dust-moving fan receiving cavities and two downwardly open dust-exit passageways extending rearwardly from said downwardly open dust-moving fan receiving cavities; a motor hood having a surface adapted to engage the top of a motor stator, and a bow shaped spring adapted to press a pair of carbon-brush holders against the said shelves on said chassis; a top cover secured to said chassis; and an access plate secured to the lower surface of said chassis.

4. A vacuum cleaner comprising in combination, a chassis formed with a downwardly open beater-brush receiving channel, a pair of downwardly open dust-conveying channels extending rearwardly from opposite ends of said beater-brush receiving channel, a plurality of upwardly open cavities including two dust-moving fan receiving cavities, two dust-exit passageways respectively in communication with the said dust-moving fan receiving cavities, a cavity having a semicircular groove adapted to accommodate a motor stator, and a pair of carbon-brush holder shelves; an upper blower cover having downwardly open cavities complemental to similar upwardly open cavities in said chassis, including two downwardly open dustmoving fan receiving cavities, and two downwardly open dust-exit passageways extending rearwardly from said downwardly open dust-moving fan receiving cavities; a motor hood having a surface adapted to engage the top of a motor stator, and a bow shaped spring adapted to press a pair of carbon-brush holders against the said shelves on said chassis; a top cover secured to said chassis, said top cover having a top wall, two side walls, an apertured rear wall and said top cover being formed with an opening adapted to accommodate a lens; and an access plate secured to the lower surface of said chassis.

5. A vacuum cleaner comprising in combination, a metallic chassis formed with a downwardly open beaterbrush receiving channel, a pair of downwardly open dustconveying channels extending rearwardly from opposite ends of said beater-brush receiving channel, a plurality of upwardly open cavities including, two dust-moving fan receiving cavities, two dust-exit passageways respectively in communication with the said dust-moving fan receiving cavities, a large cavity having a semicircular groove adapted to accommodate a motor stator, and a pair of carbon-brush holder shelves; an upper plastic blower cover having downwardly open cavities complemental to similar upwardly open cavities in said chassis including two downwarldy open dust-moving fan receiving cavities, and two downwardly open dust-exit passageways extending rearwardly from said downwardly open dust-moving fan receiving cavities; a metallic motor hood having items which cooperate with portions of said chassis including a surface adapted to engage the top of a motor stator, and a bow shaped spring adapted to press a pair of carbonbrush holders against the said shelves on said chassis; a plastic top cover secured to said chassis, said top cover having a top wall, two side walls, an apertured rear wall, and said top cover being formed with an opening adapted to accommodate a lens; and an access plate secured to the lower surface of said chassis.

6. A vacuum cleaner comprising in combination, a metallic chassis formed with a downwardly open beaterbrush receiving channel, a pair of downwardly open dustconveying channels extending rearwardly from opposite ends of said beater-brush receiving channel, a plurality of upwardly open cavities including, two dust-moving fan receiving cavities, two dust-exit passageways respectively in communication with the said dust-moving fan receiving cavities, a motor-cooling fan receiving opening, a large cavity having a semicircular groove adapted to accommodate a motor stator, and a pair of carbon-brush holder selves; an upper plastic blower cover having downwardly open cavities complemental to similar upwardly open cavities in said chassis, including two downwardly open dust-moving fan receiving cavities, and two downwardly open dust-exit passageways extending rearwardly from said downwardly open dust-moving fan receiving cavities; a metallic motor hood having items which cooperate with portions of said chassis including a surface adapted to engage the top of a motor stator, a portion designed to cover a portion of said motor-cooling fan, and a bow shaped spring adapted to press a pair of carbon-brush holders against the said shelves on said chassis; and a plastic top cover secured to said chassis, said top cover having a top wall, two side walls, an apertured rear wall, said top cover being formed with an opening adapted to accommodate a lens.

7. A vacuum cleaner comprising in combination, a metallic chassis formed with a downwardly open beaterbrush receiving channel, a pair of downwardly open dustconveying channels extending rearwardly from opposite ends of said beater-brush receiving channel, a plurality of upwardly open cavities including, two dust-moving fan receiving cavities, two dust-exit passageways respectively in communication with the said dust-moving fan receiving cavities, a large cavity having a semicircular groove adapted to accommodate a motor stator, and a pair of carbon-brush holder shelves; a beater-brush in said beaterbrush receiving cavity; a motor stator in said large cavity; an armature rotatably mounted on said chassis; a pair of carbon-brush holders on said shelves; an upper plastic blower cover having downwardly open cavities complemental to similar upwardly open cavities in said chassis, including two downwardly open dust-moving fan receiving cavities, and two downwardly open dust-exit passageways extending rearwardly from said downwardly open dust-moving fan receiving cavities; a metallic motor hood having items which cooperate with portions of said chassis including a surface adapted to engage the top of said motor stator, and a bow shaped spring adapted to press said pair of carbon-brush holders against the said shelves on said chassis; a plastic top cover secured to said chassis, said top cover having a top wall, two side walls, an apertured rear wall and said top cover being formed with an opening adapted to accommodate a lens; and an access plate secured to the lower surface of said chassis.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,727,922 Adams Sept. 10, 1929 2,258,740 Carlson Oct. 14, 1941 2,345,514 Troxler Mar. 28, 1944 2,359,194 Becker Sept. 26, 1944 2,613,242 Shumaker et a1 Oct, 7, 1952 2,633,596 Turner et a1 Apr. 7, 1953 2,770,000 Segesman Nov. 13, 1956 

1. A VACUUM CLEANER COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A CHASSIS FORMED WITH A DOWNWARDLY OPEN BEATER-BRUSH RECEIVING CHANNEL, A DOWNWARDLY OPEN DUST-CONVEYING CHANNEL EXTENDING REARWARDLY FROM SAID BEATER-BRUSH RECEIVING CHANNEL, A PLURALITY OF UPWARDLY OPEN CAVITIES INCLUDING, A DUST-MOVING FAN RECEIVING CAVITY, A DUSTEXIT PASSAGEWAY IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE SAID DUSTMOVING FAN RECEIVING CAVITY, A CAVITY HAVING A SEMICIRCULAR GROOVE ADAPTED TO ACCOMMODATE A MOTOR STATOR, AND MEANS FOR SUPPORTING CARBON-BRUSH HOLDERS; AN UPPER BLOWER COVER HAVING A DOWNWARDLY OPEN DUST-MOVING FAN RECEIVING CAVITY, AND A DOWNWARDLY OPEN DUST-EXIT PASSAGEWAY EXTENDING REARWARDLY FROM SAID DOWNWARDLY OPEN DUST-MOVING FAN RECEIVING CAVITY; A MOTOR HOOD 